Pumping apparatus



Sept. 24, 1946.

w. H. wlNr-:MAN

PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22, 4 1945 2' Sheets-sheet 1 .l2-Zwak@ Sept. 24, 1946. w. H. WINEMAN PUMVPING APPARATUS Filed oct. `22

, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. Z4, 1946 PUMPIN G APPARATUS Wade H. Wineman, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application October 22, 1943, Serial No. 507,265

(Cl. Z55- 16) 17 Claims. 1

My invention relates to pumping apparatus,

and more particularly to apparatus for yieldingly supporting the beam of so-called beam well pumping equipment.

Many of the wells containing oil which ceases to flow naturally are produced by some form of beam well pumping equipment. The usual pumping equipment of this type includes a rigid post, and a walking beam pivotally connected between its ends to the upper end of the post. One end of the walking beam is connected through a rod line to a pump at the bottom of the well, and the other end of the beam is connected to a suitable driving unit. With such pumping equipment, where the wells are very deep, the rod line is subject to frequent breakage due to the variations in stressl and the comparatively high stresses to which the rod line is subjected.

By providing a suitable yielding supporting structure for the walking beam, the maximum loads and the stress ranges on the rod line may be substantially reduced. Such supporting structure may desirably include cylinder and piston elements, one of the elements being supported in a stationary position and the other being connected to the walking beam and adapted to reciprocate relative to the first. Contained within the space between the cylinder and piston elements at one end of the cylinder is a gaseous fluid under pressure for urging the elements in extended relation so as to provide a yielding support for the walking beam. In the supporting structure illustrated herein the cylinder is mounted in a stationary upright position, and the piston is reciprocable in the cylinder and has a piston rod connected to the walking beam. This structure is similar to that shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 357,155 now Patent No. 2,377,913 dated June 12, 1945. The structure may, however, have the piston supported in a stationary position, and have the cylinder reciprocable relative to the piston and connected to the walkingr beam. In order to maintain the desired pressure between the cylinder and piston elements for supporting the walking beam and its loads, improved means are provided for pumping fluid into the cylinder space to make up for fluid escaping around the piston.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved supporting structure for a walking beam. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved pumping system. Still another object of my invention is to provide improved means for regulating the yielding resistancev of a yieldable supporting structure for a walking beam. Yet another object of my invention is to provide, in a supporting structure having a supporting element subjected to pressure fluid, improved means for regulating the pressure of the pressure iiuid. Still a further object of my invention is to provide an improved means for maintaining the pressure `in a uid cushioned Walking beam system. Other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a pumping system in which an illustrative form of my invention is incorporated. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partially in elevation, through the beam-supporting structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in dilerent relative positions.

In the illustrative form of the invention shown, a "beam type pumping apparatus, generally designated I, is connected to a polished rod 2 extending through a casing head 3 of a well and connecting to a sucker rod line (not shown).

The pumping apparatus includes a supporting structure, generally designated 4, a walking beam 5, and a driving unit 6 of conventional form connected by a pitman 'I with the walking beam and driven in any suitable manner.

Referring now more particularly to the supporting structure 4 for the walking beam, it will be noted that an upright cylinder 9 rests upon a lower cylinder head I0 and has a bore II containing a reciprocable hollow piston I 2. Extending upwardly from the piston through a packing I4 in an upper cylinder head4 I5 is a tube-like piston rod I6 which is closed at its upper end by a wall II. Threaded onto the upper end of the piston rod is a coupling I8 which receives the threaded end of a. cylindrical shaped member 20 guided for vertical movement by a sleeve-like member 22 attached to the upper ends of supporting legs 23. Fixed to the top of the member 20, as by bolts 24, is a cap 25 to which the walking beam is pivotally connected at 26. A tank 21 containing a gaseous iiuid, in this case air, under pressure is connected by a pipe 28 to a passage 29 in the lower cylinder head II), and the passage 29 opens into a pipe 30 threaded into an opening in the lower cylinder head and ex tending upwardly into the piston rod. Y I

,eficacia The diameter of the pipe 30 is such as to provide between its outer surface and the inner surface of the piston rod iii, an annular space 3l through which gaseous iiuid, conducted from the tank through pipe 28, passage 23 and pipe 3S, may pass into the hollow piston i2. In order to seal the gaseous fluid within the tank 21 and its connected passages, and to lubricate the walls of the cylinder bore, there is placed within the lower portion of the cylinder bore a body of oil of such volume that the space within the piston is not quite filled when the piston rests upon the lower cylinder head. As the piston moves upwardly in the cylinder bore the level of the oil drops, since it then occupies space that had previously been occupied by the walls of the piston, but the length of the bore and the dimensions ,of the piston are such that even when the piston engages the.up. per cylinder head the lower end of the piston ex#- tends below the surface of the oil a substantial distance and the vseal is maintained. In order to determine if there is a proper amount of oil in the cylinder, a sight glass 3i is connected in communication with the bottom of the cylinder and with a vpoint where the pressure conditions are the same as they are at the upper surface of the oil, the poi-nt of connection herein being with the passage V29 through a passage 33 in the cylinder head Iii. s l

Means are provided for cushioning the piston l2 as it moves toward the lower cylinder head, and this means comprises ari-upwardly projecting portion 3K5 formed on the lower `cylinder head and having a sloping surface 35 which forms an annular space, between the projecting portion and bore at a point spaced from the upper end of the cylinder, and communicating past a stop valve 3S with areservoir 39 at the lower end of the latter. The upper end of the cylinder bore is connectedin'communication with the lower portion of the reservoir by a conduit 40 havingA a check valve di, the check valve permitting a flow of iiuid toward the cylinder bore and preventing Fluid flow in the opposite direction. Theupper portion of the reservoir is connected to atmosphere through an air cleaning venting means d3, and

arranged between the upper end and lower end of the reservoir is a baille plate 44 for effecting a separation of oil from the air discharged toward the venting vmeansl During operatic-n of the pumping mechanism, the valve 38 is left open so that fluid may pass freely through the connection 37 between the reservoir Vand the cylinder bore. As the piston l2 moves Aupwardly in the cylinder bore and passeslthe connection 3l, the escape of fluid to the reservoir is cut ofi, and a cushioning pressure is built up in the upper portion of the cylinder bore. When the piston moves from the upper toward the lower end of the bore,'the check valve 4i opens to prevent the creation of a vacuum at the upper end of the bore.

t will be noted that the pressure in the tank 2l and its connected spaces acts between the upper surface o'f the body of oil in the cylinder 9 and the lower surfaces of the upperend wall of the piston and the wall Vl, and urges the piston in an upward direction. To obtain the full value of alleviation this pressure should be such that, during pumping operation, the piston l2 is raised to its topmost position in the bore I I at the same time the polished rod 2 reaches the end of its upward stroke. In order that the desired pressure may be maintained, a pump mechanism, generally designated d6, is provided for pumping oil which escapes from the lower portion of the cylinder bore between the walls of the piston and the cylinder, back into the cylinder bore beneath .the piston, and for pumping air into the spaces communicating with the tank 2l so as to make up for air escaping past the piston. The pump mechanismis made adjustable, as later described, to deliver fluid to the lower end of the cylinder bore Yand its connected spaces at various rates. The pressure in the system may be regulated either by adjusting the pump mechanism to deliver fluid at a rate exceeding that at which fluid escapes from beneath the piston I2 and providing for the tank 2l' an adjustable relief valve '4l which opens when the desired maximum pressure is exceeded, or by adjusting the pump mechanism so that iiuid is delivered to the system at the same rate thatit escapes from beneath the piston.

The pumpmechanismv 45, as shown herein, comprises a cylinder block i8 connected in any suitable manner to the piston rod lHi Vat a point clearing the cylinder head I5 when the piston is at the lower end of the cylinder-bore. Formed in the block i8 is a bore 49 having its axis lying in a vertical plane and opening through the lower end of the block. Reciprocably mounted inthe bore i8 is a piston 50 pivotally connected to a link 5l which is, in turn, pivotally connected to the walking beam 5 vat one or another of the points 53 spaced varying distances from the pivot point 2t. An intake port 55 opens into the upper end of the bore 49 and is connected, un-der ycontrol of an inlet'valve 56, with a Vconduit Y5l which communicates with va passage 58 opening through the upper Asurface of thepiston l2. A discharge port (i0 connects the upper end o'f the bore 49, under control of a discharge valve 6|, with a conduitf'Z opening into the interior of the tubular piston rod i6. The inlet and discharge valves are urged toward their closed positions, Vrespec-v tively, by springs 53 and 54. An adjustable abutment 55 is provided for regulating the tension of the spring l63, and a stationary abutment 66 is provided for the spring 623.

The mode of operation of the apparatus described is as follows: Air is supplied to the tank 2 from any suitable source (not shown) until the pressure built up within'it and its connected spaces if suicient to raise the piston l2 to its uppermost position in thedcylinder bore Il at the same instant the rod `2 reaches the upper end of its stroke during pumping. To maintain this pressure during Vpumping the relief valve 41 may be adjusted to open when the pressure ,exceeds this value, or the pump mechanisml may be adjusted by varying 'the closing pressure on the inlet valve and varying the stroke of the piston 50 through the connections 5i and 53, to deliver iiuid to the lower end of p-iston I2 at" the same rate Ythat it escapes around the piston. As the walking beam is driven by the power unit 6 to reciprocate the rod 2, the piston l2 moves to various positions in bore Il depending on the loads to which it is subjected. The pressure acting on the upper surface of the oil causes the latter to be forced gradually between the piston and the cylinder lwalls to the space in the bore above the upperend of the piston. If the pumping apparatusis shut down for some time and a p-ressure is held in the tank 2l, the oil will eventually all be forced to the space above the piston I2. The escape of air around the piston and from the system may be prevented by closing the valve 33. On actuation of the walking beam the piston l2 `moves upwardly as the load decreases and, during normal operation, overruns the point where connection 3'! opens into the cylinder bore. As the piston moves upwardly past the connection 3l, fluid is compressed in the upper portion of the bore Il and is forced through the passage 58, the conduit 5l, and past the inlet valve 56 to the bore 49. As shown in Fig. 2, the walking beam is swinging in a counterclockwise direction to raise the pump rod 2. The piston 5i) is still being moved downwardly in the bore 49 by the walking beam, and the load on the beam has not yet reduced to a point where the piston I2 is raised by the pressure beneath it. When the operating conditions are idea-l the piston 50 is at its lowermost position in the bore i9 when the piston I2 reaches its uppermost position in the bore l l. As the walking beam swings about the pivot 26 to lower the rod 2, the piston 59 is moved upwardly in the bore 49 and forces the fluid delivered to the bore under pressure, past the discharge valve 6I and through the conl'duit 62 to the interior of the piston rod i6. Fig. 3 shows the positions of the parts when the walking beam is swinging in a clockwise direction to lower the pump rod. As soon as the beam reaches the end of its swing in a clockwise direction and starts to swing in the opposite direction, the load on the beam will have increased to such an eX- tent thait the piston I2 will be forced to its lowermost position in the bore I l.

As a result of my invention there is provided an improved pumping apparatus. It will be noted that the piston for the supporting structure operates to produce a pumping action which aids in delivering fluid to the system for maintaining the desired conditions, and which acts at the same time to cushion the piston. By arranging the make up pump in the manner described there is obtained a two stage compression of fluid with the addition of a minimum amount of equipment. Other advantages will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of the kind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in combination, means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including a cylinder containing a reciprocatory piston, means for supplying to the lower end of said cylinder a pressure fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vent opening into said cylinder at a point spaced from its upper end for connecting said cylinder to atmosphere, said piston moving upwardly on reduction of the lload on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing fluid within the upper portion Vof said cylinder, and a pump mechanism for delivering uid from the upper to the lower end of said cylinder, said pump mechanism including relatively reciprocable cylinder,

and piston elements, means includingan inlet valve for connecting said cylinder element in communication with the upper portion of said cylinder, means including a discharge valve .for connecting said cylinder element in communication with the lower portion of said cylinder, and means for effecting relative reciprocation of said cylinder and piston elements in such a manner that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximum at the time fluid is compressed in the upper portion of said cylinder.

2. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of therkind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in combination, means adapted to yieldingly 'support the walking beam and including a cylinder containing a reciprocatory piston, means for supplying to the lower end of said cylinder a pressure fluid at a relatively high pressure; a vent opening into said cylinder at a point spaced from its upper end for connecting said cylinder to atmosphere, said piston moving upwardly on reduction of theload on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing iiuid within the upper portion of said cylinder, and a pump mechanism for delivering fluid from the upper to the lower end of said cylinder, said pump mechanism including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, inlet and discharge valve means, means including a passage opening through the upper end of said piston for connecting said cylinder element in communication with the upper portion of said cylinder past said inlet valve means, passage means for connecting said cylinder element in communication with the lower portion of said cylinder past said discharge valve means, and means for effecting relative reciprocation of said cylinder and piston elements in such a manner that the Working space :in said cylinder element approaches a maximum at the time iiuid is compressed in the upper portion of said cylinder. l

3. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of the kind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in combination, means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including a cylinder containing a reciprocatory piston, means forV supplying to the lower end of said cylinder a pressure fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vent opening into said cylinder ata point spaced from its upper endfor connecting said cylinder to `atmosphere, said piston moving upwardly on re-" duction of the load onthe walking beam, covering said vent and compressing fluid within the upper portion of said cylinder, and a pump mechanism for delivering fluid from the upper to the lower end of said cylinder, said pump mechanism including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, means connecting said cylinder element for movement with said piston, means connecting said piston element for actuation by the walking beam, said piston element being so actuated that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximum when fluid is compressed in the upper portion of said` cylinder, and means including inlet and discharge valves for connecting said cylinder element in communication, respectively, with the upper and lowerV ends of said cylinder.V

4. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of the` kind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in

combination, lmeansadapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including alcylinder containing a reciprocatorypiston, means for supplying to the lower end of said cylinder a pressure fluid ata relatively high pressure, a vent opening into said cylinder at a point -spaced from its upper end for connecting said cylinder to atmosphere, said piston moving upwardly on reduction of the load on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing fluid within the upper portion of said cylinder, and apump mechanism for delivering duid vfrom the upper to the lower end of said cylinder, said pump mechanism including relativelyreciprocable cylinder and piston elements, means `connecting one of said cylinder and piston elements for movement with said piston, means connecting the other of said elements for actuation by said walking beam, said connecting means operating to eiect relative reciprocation of said cylinder and piston elements in such a manner that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximum when fluid is compressed in the upper portion vof said cylinder, and means including inlet and discharge Yvalves for connecting said cylinder element in communication, respectively, with the upper and lower ends of said cylinder.

5. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with Va well pumping apparatus of the kind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in combination, means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including a cylinder containing a reciprocatory piston, means for supplying to the lower end of said cylinder a pressure fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vent opening into said cylinder at a point spaced from its upper end for connecting said cylinder to atmosphere, said piston moving upwardly on reduction of the load on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing fluid within the upper portion of said cylinder, anda pump mechanism for delivering fluid from' the upper to the lower end of said cylinder, said pump mechanism including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, means connecting said cylinder element for movement with said piston, means for adjustably connecting said piston element to thewalking beam at points spaced from the point of support of the latter, said piston element being so actuated that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximum when iiuid is compressed in the upper portion of said cylinder, and means including inletl and discharge valve means for connecting said cylinder element in communication, respectively, with the upper and lower ends of said cylinder. i

6. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of the kind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in combination, means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including a cylinder containing a reciprocatory piston, an :enclosed tank containing air at a relatively high pressure, means for connecting said tank in communication with the lower end of said cylinder, a vent opening into said'cylinder at a pointspaced from its upper end, said piston moving upwardly on reduction of the load on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing air within the upper portion of said cylinder, pump mechanism mechanism including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, Vmeans including inletY andV discharge valves connecting said Ycylinder element incommunication, respectively, withthe cylinder spaces at vthe fupperand lower .ends of said piston, means for effecting relative reciprocation of said cylinder and piston elements in such a manner that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximum at the time fluid is compressed in the upper portion of said cylinder, and means including arelief valve for regulating Ytnepressure in the space beneath said piston. Y

7. yA yieldableV supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of the kind embodying a walking beam, comprising, in combination,`means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including-a cylinder containing a reciprocatory piston, an enclosed Vtank containing air at a relatively high pressure, means for connecting said tank in communication with the lower `end of said cylinder, a vent opening into saidcylinder at a point spaced from its upperend, said piston moving upwardly on reduction of the load on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing air within the upper .portion of said cylinder, pump mechanism for delivering air under pressure from the upper to the lower end of said cylinder, said pump mechanism including a cylinder element connected 'for reciprocation with said piston, a piston element received within `said cylinder element and connected for actuation by the Ywalking beamJ said pistonelement being so actuated that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximumwhen llud is compressed in the upper portion of said cylinder, means including inlet and discharge valves connecting said cylinder element in communication, respectively,

with the cylinder spaces at the upper and lowerV ends of said piston, and means including a relief valve for regulating the pressure in the space.`

beneath said piston. I

8. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with a well pumping apparatus of the kind embodying a walkingbeam, comprising, .in combination, means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including a cylinder containing a reciprocatory hollow piston open atits lower end, a liquid within the lower portion of said cylinder for sealing the lower end of said piston against the escape o'f fluid from within the latter during normal operation of said pumping apparatus, a vent opening into said cylinder at a point spaced from its upper end, means for supplying gaseous fiuid at a relatively high pressure to the space within said hollow piston, said piston moving upwardly on reduction lof the load on the walking beam, covering said vent and compressing duid within the upper portion of said cylinder, and a pump mechanism for delivering iiuid'from the upper to the lower Yend vof said cylinder during operation of isaid pumping apparatus, said pump mechanism including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, means including inlet and discharge valves for connectingV said cylinder element in communicationfrespectively, with the cylinder spaces Vatthe upper and lower ends oi said piston, and means for effecting relative reciprocation of said cylinder and piston elements in suchamanner that the working space in said cylinder element approaches a maximum at the time fluid is compressed in'the upper'portion of said cylinder.

9. A yieldable supporting structure adapted for association with .a well pumping apparatusof. the

kind Vembodying a -walkingrbeam, comprising, in.

combination, means adapted to yieldingly support the walking beam and including a cylinder for maintaining a volume of compressible Iluid containinga reciprocatory hollow piston open at i under pressure in communicationwith the space its lower end, a liquid within the lower portion at the rst .mentioned side of said piston, and of said cylinder for sealing the lower end of said means `for delivering fluid from the second menpiston against the escape of fluid from within tioned side of the piston to the iirst mentioned the latter during normal operation of said pumpside thereof including a pump having relatively l ing apparatus, a vent opening into said cylinder movable parte cooperating to form a Working at a point spaced from its upper end, means for chamberand further having an intake connected supplying gaseous fluid at a, relatively high pres- With the Second mentiOned Side 0f the piston and sure to the space within said hollow piston, said 10 a discharge connected with the 'irst mentioned piston moving upwardly on reduction of the load Side of the piston, and meanS for effecting relaon the walking beam, covering said vent and tive movement between said relatively movable compressing fluid within the upper portion of DartS Providing maXirnuIn Volume of Said Work- Said Cylinder, and a, pump mechanism for delving chamber when the volume at the second menering fluid from the upper to the lower end of l5 tioned side of the piston iS at a minimum.

said cylinder during operation of said pumping l2- In an apparatus of the Cliaracte!1 deSclihed,

apparatus, said pump mechanism including in combination, a walking beamfmeans for yieldrelatively reciprocablel cylinder and piston eleingly Supporting the Walking beam including relments, one of said elements connected for atively rcciprocable cylinder and piston elements, reciprocaticn with said piston and the other one pivotally connected to the walking beam and element connected for actuation by the walkthe other constituting a stationary Support, the .ing beam, said connecting means operating weight of the walking beam tending to diminish to effect relative reciprocation of said cylinder the space at one Side of the pieton and to increase and piston elements in such a manner that the the space at the other side, means for maintainworking space in said cylinder element aping a volume of compressible fluid under pressure proaches a maximum when fluid is compressed in communication With the Space at the rSt in the upper portion of said cylinder, means inmentioned Side of `Said piSton, and means for cluding an inlet valve for connecting said cylindelivering fluid from the second mentioned side der element in communication with the cylinder of the piston to the first mentioned side thereof space at the upper end of said piston, and means including a Dump operated hy said walking beam including a discharge valve for connecting said and having relatively movable parts cooperating cylinder element in communication with the cylt0 fcI'In a Working chamber andfuther hal/ing finder Space at the lower 51de 0f Said piston, an intake CORRECT/8d With the YSecond lnehtlolled l0. A yieldable supporting structure adapted side of the piston and a diSChalge connected With for association with a well pumping apparatus the rst mentioned side of the piston, and means of the kind embodying a walking beam, comprisconnected to said walking beam for effecting reling, in combination, means adapted to yieldingly ative movement between said relatively movable support the walking beam and including a cylinparte providing maXiInum Volume of Said Workder containing a reciprocatory hollow piston open ing chamber When the Volume at the second menat its lower end, a liquid within the lower portion toned Side of the pieton iS at a minimum.

of said cylinder for sealing the lower end of said i3. El an apparatus ofthe character described, piston against the escape of uid from within in combination, a walking beam, means'for yieldthe latter during normal operation of said pumpingly supporting the Walking beam including re1- ing apparatus, a vent opening into said cylinder atively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, at a point spaced from its upper end, means for one pivotally connected to the walking beam and supplying gaseous fluid at a relatively high presthe other constituting a Stationary Support, the

sure to the space within said hollow piston, said weight of the walking beam tending to diminiSh piston moving upwardly on reduction of the load the Space at one side of the pieton element and l on the walking beam, covering said vent and to increase the space at the other side, means for compressing fluid within the upper portion of maintaining a volume of compressible fluid under said cylinder, and a pump mechanism for delivpressure in communication with the space at the ering fluid from the upper to the lower end of first mentioned side of said piston element, the said cylinder during operation of said pumping one of said elements connected to the walking apparatus, said pump mechanism including relabeam operating on the reduction of the load tively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, thereon to reduce the space at the second menmeans connecting said cylinder element for retioned side of said piston element, and means ciprocation with said piston, means connecting for delivering fluid from the second mentioned said piston element for actuation by the walking side of said piston to said rst mentioned side beam, said piston element being so actuated that including a Dump having a Cylinder` Supported the working space in said cylinder element apby the one of Said elements PiVOtally Connected preaches a maximum when fluid is compressed to the walking beam, and a piston connected t0 in the upper portion of said cylinder, and means the walking beam fol' actuation thereby, Said including inlet and discharge valves for connectpiStOn S0 actuated that the Working Space in said ing said cylinder element in communication, repump cylinder approaches a maximum when the spectively, with said cylinder at the upper and Space at the second mentioned side of said piston lower ends of said piston. element approaches a minimum.,

11. In an apparatus of the character described, 14. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a walking beam, means for yieldin combination, a walking beam, means for yieldingly supporting the walking beam including ingly supporting the walking beam including relarelatively reciprocable cylinder and piston eletively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, ments, one pivotally connected to the walking one pivotally connected to the walking beam and beam and the other constituting a stationary the other constituting a stationary supp-ort, the support, the weight of the walking beam tending weight of the walking beam tending to diminish to diminish the space at one side of the piston the space at one side of the piston and to increase and to increase the space at the other side, means the space at the other side, means for maintaining a Volume of compressible uid under pressure in communication with the space at the Afirst mentioned side of' said piston, the one of said elements connected to the walking beam operating on the reduction of the load thereon to reduce the space at the second mentioned side 'oi said piston, and means for delivering fluid from the second mentioned side of said piston to said rst mentioned side including a pump having relatively movable .pumping elements, one of said'pumping elements supported by the one of said piston and cylinder elements connected to the walking beam, and the other of said pumping elements connected to the walking beam forV actuation thereby, said pumping element connected to the walking beam being so actuated thereby that the working space in said pump approaches a maximum when the space at the second mentioned side of said piston approaches a minimum.

15. In an apparatus oi the character described, in combination, a walking beam connected at one end to a load to be reciprocated, means for yieldingly supporting the walking beam at a point pumpV having relativeiy movable pumping ele-- ments, one of said pumping elements supported by the one of said piston and cylinder elements connected to the walking beam, and the other of said pumping elements connected to the walking beam at a point spaced from its pivotal support and at the side oi the latter opposite the load to be reciprocated,.said last mentioned pumping element being so actuated as to effect an increase Y in the working space in said pump as the load on the walkingv beam is decreased.

16. In an apparatus of theV character described,

in combination, a walking beam connected at one end to a load to be reciprocated, means for yieldingly supporting the walking beam at a point between its ends including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, one pivotally connected to the walking beam and the other constituting a stationary support, the weight of the 12 Walking beam and its load tending todiminish the space at one side of the piston element and to increase the space at the other side, meansV for connecting a volume of compressible'fluid under pressure in communication with the space at the first mentioned side of said piston element', the one of said elements connected to the walking beam operating on the reduction of the load thereon to reduce the space at'the second mentioned side of said piston element, and means forr delivering fluid fromV the second mentioned side of said piston element to said iirst mentioned side including a pump having relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston members, one of said members supported by the one of said cylinder'and piston'elements connected to the walking beam, and the other of said members connected to the walking beam at a point spaced from itsy pivotal support, said cylinder and piston members so arranged that the working space in said cylinder member is increased as the walking beam operates to lift the load.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, in'combination, a walking beam, means for yieldingly supporting the Walking beam. including relatively recip-rocable cylinder and piston elements, one pivotally connected to the walkingA beam and the other constituting a stationary support, the weight of the walking beam tending to diminish the space at one side of thepistcn and -to increase taining a volume of compressible-uid under pressure in communication with the space at the first mentioned Vside of said piston, and means for. delivering fluid from the second mentioned.A side of the piston to the first mentioned side thereof including a pump having relatively movable parts cooperating to form a working chamber and further having an intake connected with the second mentioned side of the piston and a discharge connected with the rst mentioned side ofthe piston, and means for effecting relative move-- ment between said relatively movable parts providing maximum volume of said working chamber when the volume at the second mentioned side of the piston is' at a minimum.

' WADE H. WINEMAN. 

